Surname Nißlein - Meaning and Origin
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Nißlein: What does the surname Nißlein mean?
The last name Nißlein is a German surname, which originated in an area that is today located in Bavaria, Germany. The name is derived from the Old High German nickname "Nisel", which means "little nobleman".
The nickname came about because of the nobility of the original bearer of the name, Nißlein. It was likely given to the first Nißlein because of their noble birth or characteristics, such as an elevated sense of honor, courage, and charity. The Nißlein family is believed to have originated in the 13th century, and was very prominent in the German language from the early 14th century onward.
The Nißlein family spread out over many parts of the Germanic world, and was eventually taken to America in the 17th century. The precise spelling of the name also changed over time, with variations such as Nießlein, Niesslein, and Nizlein occurring in different parts of the world.
Today, the Nißlein name is seen as a symbol of distinction and pride among its carriers. And while the name itself no longer reflects an aristocratic origin or pedigree, its original bearer was an individual of noble character who likely served as a role model for the Nißlein family for centuries to come.
Order DNA origin analysisNißlein: Where does the name Nißlein come from?
The surname Nißlein is a German surname. It is generally found in areas of Germany where there is a significant presence of German speakers, such as Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, or Thuringia. It is also found in parts of Austria, particularly in the southeastern region. However, because of the migrations of German speakers during the 19th and 20th centuries, the name Nißlein is now found all over the world, including Europe, the Americas, Oceania, South Africa and even India.
Within Germany, Nißlein is particularly common in Bavaria and the surrounding regions. In the most recent population census, the name was found in over 120 German municipalities. Most of these were villages or towns in rural settlements, such as Pfeffingen, Eichelsdorf, Bad Staffelstein and Kalchreuth. The largest presence of the name Nißlein is in Erlangen, a city located in Bavaria, where it represented 0.14% of the population.
Outside of Germany, Nißlein can be found in many countries around the world. The most common places are the United States, Canada, Peru, Chile and Austria. This is due to the wave of German immigrants who left their homes in the 18th and 19th centuries in search of a better life. It is also possible to find the name in countries where German immigrants settled in more recent times, such as Argentina, Brazil, Israel and Australia.
Overall, the name Nißlein is still most common in the German-speaking lands, particularly Bavaria. However, due to the migrations of the past and present century, the surname has become increasingly widespread globally.
Variations of the surname Nißlein
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Nißlein are Nessle, Nessler, Nissle, Nissler, Neslein, Nesler, Nesle, Nesler, Neßle, Neßler, Nöslein, Nösler, Noslein, Nosler, Nößle, Nößler,Nösle, Nösler, Noßle, Noßler, Noblein, Nobel, Nopple, Nopplin, and Nurden.
Nißlein is derived from the German word ‘nissen’, which means to nestle. It is an occupational surname and was given to a family of craftspeople or tradespeople who used to precisely nestle materials, such as fabric, for wholesale purposes.
The various spellings and surnames of Nißlein reflect the geographical varieties in which it appeared, as the surname emerged in different parts of Germany and the surrounding countries. The spelling Nisslein or Nesslein was the most common in Germany, while Nößler or Noßler was typical for Austria, and Neslein for Switzerland.
In the United States, it was commonly spelled with an e-sound in the form Nissle, Nessle or Nesle. The variations of this surname in other countries include Nesler and Neslin in France, and Nurden in England. Despite the numerous variants, they all derive from the same root word of ‘nissen’, referring to nestling or nesting activities.
Famous people with the name Nißlein
- Michael Nißlein: German football referee from 2008 to 2019.
- Otto von Nißlein: German World War I flying ace with 45 aerial victories.
- Florian Nißlein: German actor known for roles in films such as We All Fall Down.
- Franz Nißlein: German composer and conductor associated with the Kammeroper Schloss Rheinsberg.
- Anton Nißlein: Austrian painter from the Early Modern Era.
- Paul Nißlein: Swiss philologist who works as a professor at the University of Bern.
- Theodor Nißlein: German doctor from the 19th century who worked extensively in obstetrics and gynecology.
- Wilfried Nißlein: German radiologist specializing in cardiovascular and pulmonary imaging.
- Julius Nißlein: German surgeon from the 19th century who wrote numerous works on anatomical research.
- Johann Nißlein: German theologian and philosopher from the 17th century who wrote extensively on rationalism and religious practices.